Moving to Daytona Beach? There are Plenty of Things to Do.

If you're planning to buy real estate in Daytona Beach Florida, or any of the surrounding cities, you'll be interested in some of the great things you'll find to do here.

Aside from the obvious tourist attractions such as NASCAR at the Daytona International Speedway, Bike Week and Biketoberfest, and the World's Most Famous Beach, there are many other interesting activities. How about watching a baseball game with the Daytona Cubs at Jackie Robinson Ball Park? Or maybe you'd like to tour the local museums and galleries.

If you're the outdoorsy type, you'll enjoy a day, or a camping trip at Tomoka State Park in Ormond Beach. Or you can spend a day in Ponce Inlet at the park and lighthouse, then walk down to the beach and enjoy watching the boats come and go in the inlet. You can even rent jet skis or take tour boat rides. Or there's always the Daytona Beach Flea and Farmers Market which has been voted as one of the top 5 flea markets in the country!

If your tastes lean toward the arts, we have Seaside Music Theater. All of these are places about which I've previously written. You can follow each link to find more information.

For this remainder of this post, I thought I'd let you know about another fun activity that's short but very sweet. Located in the heart of old Daytona Beach, in the newly renovated Historic District on Beach Street, overlooking the riverfront park is Angell and Phelps Chocolate Factory. They offer FREE tours of the factory every hour, and hand out FREE samples! How great is that? I can tell you from first-hand experience that Angell and Phelps chocolates are heavenly! My car seems to go on auto pilot every time I attempt to drive by. I say "attempt" because I always seem to find myself parked in front of the store. When that happens, what else can I do but go inside?

To be perfectly honest, Angell and Phelps Chocolate Factory is such a mainstay in this area that I never knew it wasn't a nation-wide chocolate company. I only recently discovered it to be a local company that began in 1925 by two women; Riddell Angell and Cora Phelps. Apparently, they had a shop in Michigan at the beginning of WWII, but had to close their doors there. Since they had wintered in Daytona Beach, to our great fortune, they then moved here permanently and opened the chocolate factory we all love. How amazing is that? Think about it. Two women in the 1920's were able to open and operate a successful business that is still alive and growing, over 80 years later. Visit the Angell and Phelps Chocolate Factory web site to read all about this inspiring heritage and history.

Also part of the Angell and Phelps experience is the Angell and Phelps cafe. This is wonderful dining, and includes the area's finest musicians playing jazz, pop and blues music. Each delicious dish is made with fresh, quality ingredients; there's a fabulous dessert menu; and a full bar featuring specialty martinis.

If you're a local resident, I'm sure you can attest to the mouth-watering goodness of Angell and Phelps fine chocolates and "Casual Gourmet" Cafe.

For those of you who have not yet moved here, visit my web site and view my featured mls listings for the Daytona Beach area. You'll find video and virtual tours as well as plenty of local information.

Make a SMART CHOICE today and contact Lisa Hill for all your real estate needs.

This beautiful 4 bedroom 2.5 bath home in Ormond Beach FL has just been reduced to $292,000. You'll love the charm and homey feeling as soon as you step into the front foyer.

This fabulous buy has 1 bedroom and a powder room downstairs, and 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms upstairs. All the rooms are large enough to accommodate full-sized furnishings.

One of the best kept secrets of this neighborhood is the hidden community pool and basketball court. Each of these homes backs up to this community area. Just open the gate from your back yard and take a dip in the pool. There's even a separate pool for this children.

If you don't want to walk the short distance from your private backyard, to this community area, you can enjoy the warm Florida evenings on your rear screen room, or throw some burgers on the grill and relax on your patio. Doesn't that tiki hut look inviting?

Be sure to view the video below, and check out my Daytona Beach area MLS listings.

If you have kids who are ready for college, the Daytona Beach area has plenty of them. We even have 2 of the top rated universities in the nation, close at hand.

If you're not familiar with how the different cities all link together in the Daytona Beach area, read my post titled Daytona Beach Florida-A Comprehensive Distinction Between the Surrounding Cities.

You may also be interested in some interesting facts about this area. If so, follow these links...

• Why Should You Buy Real Estate in Daytona Beach?
• A New Daytona Beach Fun Fact
• Daytona Beach Florida; Vacation and Second Home Destination

House for Sale - Ormond-Beach, FL 32174 - Real Estate Video Tour

The Code of Ethics, REALTORS® and plain old real estate agents

I just read a post on another blog site, and felt the need to address a few things.

The post I read was about the trademarked word "REALTOR®" and that writer's overall disagreement with the definition of the word, as well as some other personal grievances. That person appeared to be basing their opinions on the fact that the public doesn't realize that all real estate licensees are not REALTORS®. This individual was also stating that not all REALTORS® abide by the Code of Ethics. Now for my strong beliefs on this subject.

Let me start by saying, I am proud to be a REALTOR®! For anyone reading this post who is not aware of this, the word REALTOR® is trademarked and there are specific rules on how the word can and cannot be used. For starters, the word REALTOR® must be written or typed all in capitalized letters, and must be immediately followed by the "®" symbol that indicates it's a trademarked word. Click this link for more information on the specifics of the laws regarding the use of the word REALTOR®.

As for how I feel about being a REALTOR®... the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and local REALTOR® Associations were created to separate those who subscribe to a Code of Ethics from those who do not.

One of the points made in the other blog I read, was that not all REALTORS® abide by the Code of Ethics as they're supposed to. This person thought that since all the REALTORS® were not following this code, then it should be done away with, because there were too many rules to follow anyway. I wanted to beat my head on my desk when I read that. Those rules are there for quality control, and to protect the client. They're also there to maintain professional standards in our industry.

Unfortunately, that writer was correct that there are a few REALTORS® who are not abiding by our Code of Ethics. But when a REALTOR® is found in violation, they can be penalized. This leads me to a comparison here.

Our country has laws that must be obeyed. We don't decide to do away with our laws because some people are breaking them. Those laws are there to protect the people. When people break the law, they're at the mercy of our judicial system. We expect the police and courts to uphold our laws and fight for them at all costs, in order to maintain the high standards that were originally intended. Just because some people don't understand, or they disagree, or they break these laws for whatever reason, it does not excuse their behavior. It's the same with the REALTOR® Code of Ethics.

To me, being a REALTOR® is something of which I can be proud. I like knowing we are being held to a higher standard than those who do not subscribe to our Code of Ethics.

I'm not bashing anyone who is not a REALTOR®. I realize that the costs of joining a REALTOR® Association and Multiple Listing Service (MLS) can be a large expense for someone who is just starting out, or has had personal hardships that have affected their business, etc. I am however, defending my membership and loyalty to this institution. I don't believe that anyone can say it's not in the best interests of our clients, for them to be represented by an actual REALTOR®. How else can the client be assured...

• That their offer will be submitted as quickly as possible?
  
• Or that they will not be misled about the market value of a property?
  
• Or that their interests will be promoted and protected?
  
• And that if these guidelines are not followed by their REALTOR®, there are legal avenues that can be pursued?
  
• (I could go on, but I'll let you follow the link above, to read the entire Code of Ethics)

Now, to address the copyrighted word "REALTOR®" and why it should continue to be protected, here are other examples pertaining to copyright laws:

• When I make a video, I can't use copyrighted songs as background music.
  
• I can't use clips from other people's videos within mine without their expressed permission.
• In my blogs, I can't use copyrighted photos I find on the internet to spice them up.
  
• I can't use someone else's articles, without their expressed permission.
  
• When I register a domain name, I can't register a copyrighted name.

These examples all fall under copyright laws. Violators leave themselves open to law suits. The word REALTOR® is also protected under these laws. Just because some of the people in the public are not aware of this is no excuse. Let me give a simple example....

• If you commit a traffic violation and a police officer pulls you over and gives you a ticket, but you had not been aware that you were breaking any laws, do you think the officer cares? You're not likely to get out of paying a ticket just because you weren't paying attention, or weren't familiar with the laws of that area.

I recently posted a blog with links to public domain photos, since the copyright laws were nowhere to be found, regarding photos on the internet. I had to spend 2 hours researching this subject, just to find a clear answer. But if I have photos in my posts that are copyright protected, and I get sued by the owner of the photos, I'm not likely to be let off the hook because I didn't know the law. It's my responsibility to do the work and know the law.

In summary, the word REALTOR® means we're held to a higher standard. I like that. The word REALTOR® is copyright protected. I like that too. If it were to become interchangeable with all real estate licensees, then how would we differentiate between those who subscribe to a Code of Ethics and those who just have a license?

A Daytona Beach Fun Fact

If you're planning to buy real estate in Daytona Beach FL, you'll have something unique to brag about, to all your out-of-town friends.

The Daytona Beach Flea Market is one of America's Top 5 Flea Markets, according to USA Weekend.

That's quite an achievement, considering the size of this town, compared to the other top 4, which are the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, CA, the Kane County Flea Market in St. Charles IL, the Austin County Flea Market in Texas, and the greatest American flea market, in Brimfield, MA.

The Daytona Flea and Farmer's Market boasts 3.5 miles of aisles packed with clothes, jewelry, electronics, antiques, collectibles and more. You'll even find a dollar store in the air-conditioned, indoor section.

And don't forget about the funnel cakes, ice cream, hot dogs and giant pretzels. Or you can sit down and eat in 2 different air-conditioned restaurants.

The Daytona Flea and Farmer's Market is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, year-round and has several acres of parking. Whatever you're looking for, you'll probably find it here!

Whenever you're ready to move to Daytona Beach, just give me a call. I'd love to help. Visit my web site to view Daytona Beach MLS Listings.

2 Bedroom Daytona Beach Condo For Sale

For everyone who's interested in investing in real estate in Daytona Beach Florida, here's another available condo in Surfside Villas. This one has 2 bedrooms and a great view from the private 3rd floor balcony. Click here to view a studio unit.

This Daytona Beach condomium project has been completely remodeled. All units have sliding glass doors, 16 inch tile, beautiful kitchens and bathrooms with maple cabinets and granite counters. Appliances are Frigidaire stainless steel.

Enjoy cool ocean breezes from your personal Daytona Beach condo, just 2 blocks from the ocean. Buy this one for $158,900

View this listing at www.DaytonaBeachHomeSales.com

For other information about the Daytona Beach area, follow these links...

Why should you buy Daytona Beach real estate?

Daytona Beach Colleges-Real Estate Investor Alert!

Nascar, Bike Week, Biketoberfest- A few more reasons to buy your second home in Daytona Beach FL